The Raw Data: The EF 24-70 f/2.8L II is the Sharpest Zoom Canon Has Ever Made

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<p><strong>From LensRentals.com

</strong>Roger over at LensRentals.com ran the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II through an Imatest session and found it to be a stellar performer as far as resolution goes.<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>From Roger

</strong><em>“This is short, sweet, and simple. The resolution absolutely, positively kicks butt and takes names. It is way better than the lens it replaces. It’s better at 70mm than the best Canon zoom I know of, the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II. It’s even better at 24mm than the sharpest 24mm prime we have, the Canon 24 TS-E. In the center, in the corners, it doesn’t care. We only had 5 copies to test, but they were all very similar with little copy-to-copy variation.</em></p>
<p><em>Resolution is not everything, of course. But it’s certainly an important thing. Unless the real lens reviewers find some dramatic problems with this lens, I’d have to lean towards worth-the-money on this one. I can’t believe I’m saying that a $2,300 standard zoom is worth the money. But then again, I can’t believe I’m seeing a zoom lens out resolve a $2,000 world-class prime, either.”</em></p>
<div id="wp-table-reloaded-id-16-no-1_length">The Imatest results are below. The higher the number, the better.</div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<table id="wp-table-reloaded-id-16-no-1">
<thead>
<tr>
<th rowspan="1" colspan="1"><strong>Lens</strong></th>
<th rowspan="1" colspan="1"><strong>24mm Ctr</strong></th>
<th rowspan="1" colspan="1"><strong>24mm Avg</strong></th>
<th rowspan="1" colspan="1"><strong>70mm Ctr</strong></th>
<th rowspan="1" colspan="1"><strong>70mm Avg</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Canon 24-70 f/2.8 II</strong></td>
<td>954</td>
<td>831</td>
<td>950</td>
<td>809</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Canon 24-70 f/2.8</strong></td>
<td>730</td>
<td>605</td>
<td>705</td>
<td>570</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC</strong></td>
<td>815</td>
<td>765</td>
<td>735</td>
<td>655</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II</strong></td>
<td>xx</td>
<td>xx</td>
<td>885</td>
<td>765</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Canon24 f/3.5 TS-E</strong></td>
<td>915</td>
<td>775</td>
<td>xx</td>
<td>xx</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>As you can see, the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L II is an absolute resolution monster. It really looks like it’s the best zoom Canon has ever made optically. There is a small note that distortion at 24mm is slightly worse than version 1, but that’s what software is for. :)</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/09/canon-24-70-f2-8-ii-resolution-tests" target="_blank">Read the full review here</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><strong>Order the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II at: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/843008-USA/Canon_5175B002_EF_24_70mm_f_2_8L_II.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/CA2470.html?kbid=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076BNK30/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0076BNK30&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
 
Canon Rumors said:
As you can see, the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS II is an absolute resolution monster. It really looks like it’s the best zoom Canon has ever made optically. There is a small note that distortion at 24mm is slightly worse than version 1, but that’s what software is for. :)

Now if it only didn't cost both arms and a leg...
 
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I wish they had evaluated the edges and corners specifically (and not only giving average numbers whatever these are). Until then it's the TS-E for me although it's an apples to oranges comparison: I wonder how the 24-70 performs shifted and tilted, oh wait :o
Now that does not mean I am not tempted... (I had a nice 24-70 version I which was stolen :-\ )
 
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quartzie said:
Canon Rumors said:
As you can see, the new EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS II is an absolute resolution monster. It really looks like it’s the best zoom Canon has ever made optically. There is a small note that distortion at 24mm is slightly worse than version 1, but that’s what software is for. :)

Now if it only didn't cost both arms and a leg...

If it makes you feel any better, it costs all four limbs here in the UK - £2,300 (US$ 3,697). :(
 
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Is it wrong that my first response to those numbers is excitement over the tamron?

That much better than the excellent mark I? With stabilisation? For me it's a no-brainer (unless Canon decide to release a mark III with IS any time soon)
 
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dirtcastle said:
Does it have similarly high performance across the entire focal range?
I'd imagine its as good if not better at 50mm, since that would be the easiest part of the zoom. I think determining it at 24 and 70 makes sense, since that is when the lens has to do the hardest work, so to speak.
 
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adhocphotographer said:
I always imagined going down the prime route when i get a FF... have the 24-105, but then buy a nice set of primes... this certainly explains the price-tag! If you can get better then prime res. on a zoom... :)

Do you think the cost of the primes might fall as a result of this?

No because good primes are F1.2-F1.4 range..
This is f2.8 so this is something a zoom can never match a prime…and sometimes that's why people buy a prime.
 
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+1. prime has its uses. Zoom is when you need to change your focal length fast. I personally prefer primes but for wedding photography, I'd choose zoom most of the time.

spinworkxroy said:
adhocphotographer said:
I always imagined going down the prime route when i get a FF... have the 24-105, but then buy a nice set of primes... this certainly explains the price-tag! If you can get better then prime res. on a zoom... :)

Do you think the cost of the primes might fall as a result of this?

No because good primes are F1.2-F1.4 range..
This is f2.8 so this is something a zoom can never match a prime…and sometimes that's why people buy a prime.
 
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I don't believe these findings at all...

One... claiming the 24 TS/e is the sharpest lens canon has created....
two... they forget that canon made a 28-70mm 2.8 that consistently beat the 24-70I in all tests...but neglected to track down a copy and compare.

I think this is promo-hype to try and sell an overpriced piece of glass.
$1800 sure...
but 2300 is obscene.
 
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I find it hard to believe these "test results"
Partly because i love primes. And if they can make a zoom lens that good they better update every single prime lens they make to be much better cos' they seem to have better technology than before to design lenses.

If canon made a zoom lens that good it's fine with me but it should not be possible to beat primes.
I'm voting for this one to be a hoax! IT IS POSTED ON A RUMOR WEBSITE. It's not really official info.
I can make my own tests and say the 50mm 1.8 is sharper than the new 400mm 2.8L IS II USM.
 
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RichATL said:
I don't believe these findings at all...

One... claiming the 24 TS/e is the sharpest lens canon has created....
two... they forget that canon made a 28-70mm 2.8 that consistently beat the 24-70I in all tests...but neglected to track down a copy and compare.

I think this is promo-hype to try and sell an overpriced piece of glass.
$1800 sure...
but 2300 is obscene.

The author claimed the 24mm TS-E ii (in the original blog post) was the sharpest 24mm - which it is.

You can take an awful lot of different types of photos between 24mm and 70mm. We'd all like to pay less, but there'll be plenty of takers at 2300 if it is that good. Canon is a business - it's supply and demand. There are still plenty of people stumping up similar cash for the 70-200mm is ii and this will be the same.

If you don't want to spend that much then the Mark i version, 24-105, and 28-135 fill various price points.

The price makes complete (but painful) sense.
 
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Re: The Raw Data: The EF 24-70 f/2.8L II is the Sharpest Zoom Canon Has Ever Mad

Y'all hopin' this lens was delayed so much to make the tweaks needed to bring it up enough to match the rumored high MP FF body?..
 
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